Today two issues in the local media caught my attention and I just had to say something about them.
First, the Chronicle updated its Twitter page with the story Man jailed for raping prostitute. I immediately asked why it was necessary to mention that the woman is a prostitute. Was it perhaps designed to influence the audience not to sympathise with her? I am quite sure this was not the first rape story that the paper had carried. Does it always indicate professions like it did in this story? Or it is the beginning of a new trend? Somehow I doubt.
Prostitutes, like any other people have rights (like the magistrate in the case pointed out). Pointing out that a prostitute was raped suggests that perhaps because she is paid for sex she cannot possibly be raped. Like, how is it possible for a man to rape a prostitute? In my view, such a headline was designed to diminish the seriousness of the crime, which is rape.
Secondly, following Zambian President Michael Sata's death, the Daily News carried the story Sata death: White interim leader appointed. Like really? The newspaper audiences had no idea that Scott is white? When Khama won the Botswana elections did the paper have a headline saying 'Black president for Botswana' or 'Coloured president to lead Botswana'. I strongly feel that it was not necessary to mention Scott's race. The paper gives the impression that it does not approve of a white man leading Zambia. I am not sure if this is what it intended but that was my first thought when I saw the headline.
Do these newspapers understand that their content can influence some impressionable beings out there? That what they write can reinforce negative stereotypes, directly or indirectly? Or these issues are not important as long as their audiences want to consume such content? I know they have to make sales but is that all that there is to it? Is their attitude one of "We will make sales; we do not care who is affected in the process"?
Whatever their editorial policies I felt it was so uncalled for the publications to use "prostitute" and "white." Diction is important. It says a lot. "Man jailed for rape" and "Scott appointed Zambia's interim leader" would have sufficed.
B ut then again, when all is said and done, I suppose this is none of my business? I am off to make my cup of afternoon Rooibos tea.
First, the Chronicle updated its Twitter page with the story Man jailed for raping prostitute. I immediately asked why it was necessary to mention that the woman is a prostitute. Was it perhaps designed to influence the audience not to sympathise with her? I am quite sure this was not the first rape story that the paper had carried. Does it always indicate professions like it did in this story? Or it is the beginning of a new trend? Somehow I doubt.
Prostitutes, like any other people have rights (like the magistrate in the case pointed out). Pointing out that a prostitute was raped suggests that perhaps because she is paid for sex she cannot possibly be raped. Like, how is it possible for a man to rape a prostitute? In my view, such a headline was designed to diminish the seriousness of the crime, which is rape.
Secondly, following Zambian President Michael Sata's death, the Daily News carried the story Sata death: White interim leader appointed. Like really? The newspaper audiences had no idea that Scott is white? When Khama won the Botswana elections did the paper have a headline saying 'Black president for Botswana' or 'Coloured president to lead Botswana'. I strongly feel that it was not necessary to mention Scott's race. The paper gives the impression that it does not approve of a white man leading Zambia. I am not sure if this is what it intended but that was my first thought when I saw the headline.
Do these newspapers understand that their content can influence some impressionable beings out there? That what they write can reinforce negative stereotypes, directly or indirectly? Or these issues are not important as long as their audiences want to consume such content? I know they have to make sales but is that all that there is to it? Is their attitude one of "We will make sales; we do not care who is affected in the process"?
Whatever their editorial policies I felt it was so uncalled for the publications to use "prostitute" and "white." Diction is important. It says a lot. "Man jailed for rape" and "Scott appointed Zambia's interim leader" would have sufficed.
B ut then again, when all is said and done, I suppose this is none of my business? I am off to make my cup of afternoon Rooibos tea.